"It is Written..."

Cullul, Bren, and Gamma ate in the inn’s common room the next morning. The three of them made small talk until Chinglla came to the table where they sat, and challenged Cullul to a game of ornates.

Gamma smiled at him. "Go," she said. "Enjoy yourself. Bren and I have things to talk about." After Cullul and Chinglla left, Gamma spoke to Bren. "So, you are the grandson of Valtar the Slayer?"

"Yes, honored madam."

"Your voice sounds very much like his."

"It does?"

"Yes. Being blind I cannot remember faces, so I remember voices. His voice was deep, like yours, but with a boyish quality, and a softness. No matter who he spoke with, be it peasant, or noble, he always spoke with respect. Even when he was angered, his voice remained calm. I suspect there is a lot of him in you."

"My grandmother often said there was."

"Yes—Poleisa, is she still alive?"

"No, honored madam she has been dead for nearly twenty-five suns. I was very young when she died, but I remember her."

Gamma sighed. "She was a good woman. She was pure of heart, and intelligent, unlike most of the king’s wives. Most of the daughters of the High Priest were shallow vain creatures, but of course Poleisa was not the daughter of a priest." The old woman sighed. "I have outlived so many. It is sad."

"She lived a long and good life, honored madam. She was close to her ninety-fifth sun when she entered the void."

The old woman nodded. "Yes, that is a long life."

Bren changed the subject. "Where do you and Cullul travel?"

"East," said Gamma, without hesitation.

"That’s a stroke of luck," said Bren. "I’m going that way myself."

"I know," said the old woman.

Bren looked puzzled. "How do you know that, honored madam?"

She smiled, and said, "Because, my young friend, we were fated to meet. It is written," she added mysteriously.

"It is written...written where?"

"You will understand in time," she answered. "We will be glad for your company."

"When do you leave?"

"Not for some time yet. I must attend to some things in Candoba before we continue."

"Well, I’m in no hurry to quit the city. Whenever you’re ready to leave will be fine with me. Where are you bound?"

"The desert," answered Gamma flatly.

"You are joking?" Bren said in surprise. "Honored lady, that’s a long and dangerous journey, especially for a lad, and an…" He checked himself.

She chuckled. "You were about to say, an old blind woman, Bren? I know I’m old and blind. You do not have to worry about offending me."

"I meant no disrespect," he said. "It’s just; the desert is a long journey. The country between here and there is dangerous. It’s filled with bandits worse than the ones you ran into on the road here. They would think nothing of cutting the throats of a young boy, and a lady like you, for a single bent copki."

"What you say is true," she answered. "But, we will not be in danger. Our journey will be completed. It is written."

Bren stared at her for a moment.

"You do not understand?"

"No, honored madam," he answered.

"You will."

"What am I supposed to understand?"

"I cannot explain it to you completely; but you have been chosen. From the time of your birth, your destiny has been linked to that of my great grandson."

"Cullul?"

She nodded. "You would not understand if I told you. But it is true. Cullul and I will travel to the desert. It is our destiny...And it is your destiny to travel with us."

Next Chapter: Chapter 9